Justin B. Terry-Smith has been involved in Gay and HIV Activism since 1999. He is a Air Force 9/11 Disabled Vet. Raised in Silver Spring, MD, he now lives in Severn, MD with his husband Phil. He writes an HIV/STI Advice Column for A&U Magazine and is a Contributing writer for thebody.com. He earned an AA in Communications, a BA in Political Science, Masters and Doctorate in Public Health with a concentration in Infectious Disease.

Justin's HIV Journal

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Justin's HIV Journal Pop Singer Faces HIV Charges

German Pop Star Nadja Bernaissa could face up to 10 years in jail for allegations that she infected 1 of the 3 sexual partners she had from the year 2004-2006 with the HIV virus. Supposedly the 26 year old did tell either of her partners that she was HIV Positive. The young lady in question was arrested on April 11th 2009 and released from custody later on that month. Updates will be presented as they become known to me. Last year her former lover filed charges against her and prosecutors have be investing this story since June of 2008.

Many of her fans are shocked and appalled by this. They split and some have even turned there backs on the songstress. According to the Time Magazine one fan wrote,"Stay Strong Nadja" while another wrote about her condemnation.

Benaissa Sings with the group called No Angels which is now the best selling girl group/band to come out of Germany. She also has a child who was born in 1999.

So I ASK YOU WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN?

One hand you have a person who know she has HIV and continued not to tell her partner about it. Then on the other hand there is the other side. Why didn't he protect himself or even think about protecting himself. Was it because she was a star and he didn't think he would have to worry about it?

6 comments:

I think they are both liable for not protecting themselves from each other...I know that some might say she needs to be honest because she knows what is going with her, but he has to be responsible for his sexual behavior as well...

This is an outrage and a travesty of justice. If she told her partners that she was HIV Positive, and they CHOSE to put themselves at risk...how is it her fault? She did the right thing by disclosing to her partners- she should not be held liable because they made a choice NOT to protect themselves. It is a very dangerous climate indeed- and one that could set a legal precedent...we should watch this very closely...I see storm clouds gathering...Stay strong, girl.

Been reading your blog for a while.. Me, HIV - but very aware of how it affects people and especially the gay community here in South Africa.

On the article - I would say it is her partners responsibility to protect themselves, but it would also be her 'duty' to disclose, especially if they do not 'offer to use a condom'. Just my thoughts...

Justin B Terry-Smith

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About Justin B Terry-Smith

My name is Justin B Terry-Smith, I'm a Black Gay man living in Laurel, Maryland and I am HIV+. I've decided to share my story because I feel it's important that people who have unprotected sex know what they might be getting themselves into. People have asked me why I am doing this, why have I put my personal business out like this. I tell them it is to help educate people, to make them aware and to make them think twice about having unprotected sex. This is my personal journey that needs to be told to help the community.
HIV is neither glamorous or a rite of passage. Watch the Journal and think twice.
In the words of Pedro Zamora, "I'm not dying. I'm living with it"